An Alpha's Trust

by Shannon Duane

  Noticing the dog food and bed, he asked, “Do you have a dog?”

  Jake jumped up on the porch, lay down on the dog bed with his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

  Connor looked appalled as Trevor and Shana both couldn’t hold in their giggles. Jake went next to the food dish, sniffed and gagged.

  “I guess you were right mama, he doesn’t like the food.”

  “Can we come in, Shana? We’d like to talk with you about what happened.” Conner stood on her porch with his arms crossed over his chest, looking stern.

  “Please, mommy. They are very nice boys, I promise. Not like the other ones,” Trevor pleaded. “They protect, and play, and love.” He said the last part so quietly she almost couldn’t hear him.

  Bottom line, she trusted Trevor. He’d never been wrong; however, her track record wasn’t too great.

  “I guess you can come in, but no muddy wolf prints on my floor. Your claws will ruin the tile.” She sounded a lot more confident than she was.

  There was a sudden burst of light and a man stood before them. The sexiest man she’d ever seen. The one she was trying not to think about. And he looked just as good naked. She couldn’t help her wandering eyes and flush of heat to her core. Holy cow!

  “That was cool,” Trevor said.

  She barely heard because she was staring at the tall yummy hunk of man naked in front of her. Conner ran in to get a blanket for him but she was still mesmerized by his toned and muscled body. She ran her eyes down his chest and lingered at the juncture of his thighs. Oh my God, he was huge, and obviously aroused.

  His manhood jumped once before it was covered by Conner. “Uh, maybe we should wait inside while your mom and Jake talk.”

  Jake was feeling great. His mate was obviously pleased with his body, and that comforted him. He could smell her arousal. Her cream suddenly glided into her panties, and he could smell it. He took a big whiff, yummy.

  He noticed her eyes became wide when she looked at his arousal. When she licked her lips, he ached to taste them as well. He wanted to go to her, but he knew she was skittish.

  Her scent changed quickly from hot and heated to panicked. Conner suggested they talk and she became fearful. Odd.

  Jake said, “It’s okay, we can all go in and talk together. It seems that Trevor probably knows a bit about what happened today. He can fill us in.”

  That pleased Trevor, who smelled of sunshine, causing Shana to let out a deep breath.

  When they were walking in the house, Jake noticed that Conner smelled of his mate. He held Conner back and said simply, “Explain before I gut you where you stand.” Okay, maybe not so simple.

  Conner immediately started stammering. “Uh, well, you see...Crap, she was frightened at your howl, and I told her what it meant, and she was happy.” See, that didn’t sound bad.

  Until Jake said, “You hugged my mate, and touched her before me. You may leave; we’ll conduct the investigation without you.”

  “Oh, no, you don’t,” Shana said from behind him. “He stays.”

  Shana assumed her word meant something. In the pack, it didn’t, not until they bonded. With the way things were going, Jake wasn’t sure it would ever happen.

  Conner looked seriously to Jake and said, “I’ll patrol the perimeter. Let me know if there is anything else you need of me, Alpha.” He bowed his head and turned to walk out.

  Shana stepped forward to protest when Conner turned and explained, “No, he’s right. I’ll be outside and it was nice to meet you, future Alpha mate; be well.” He bowed again, turned and walked out the back door.

  “Why did you make him leave? You’re just a big meanie,” Shana said, realizing too late she sounded like a child.

  “We’ve got a lot to talk about Shana, so maybe you should put Trevor to bed.” It wasn’t a question.

  “Actually, I don’t. He can sleep with me tonight and I’m very tired so say what you need to, then you can go too.”

  She wasn’t just tired, she was freaked out. She had never felt this way toward a man, let alone one that turns into a wolf. She hadn’t made great choices and she didn’t want this to be on her long list of bad choices so she tried again. “You really should go, it’s late and you’ve got no clothes.”

  Trevor watched his mother but couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her. He’d had a vision of them all being a family, with so much love it was almost suffocating. He wanted that. He wanted Jake as his daddy. After all, he was everything they had ever wanted and needed, and he was safe, mostly. He could become aggressive if his family or Pack was threatened, but best not to tell mom.

  “I’m gonna sleep in my own bed, mama. I’m really tired, but you should talk to Jake. He’s a nice fella and he’s my friend.” He went to Jake and gave him a big bear hug which was enthusiastically returned. “Come tuck me in, Jake. You can see my room. Pppllllleeeeaaaasssseeee.”

  Jake already loved this kid, and was amazed at the love being returned. “Sure, sport, but only if it’s okay with your mom.”

  They both looked to her.

  “Whatever you want, Trevor. I’m really sorry about tonight. I wish I could have stopped this from happening to you. I tried not to let him take you. I tried…”

  She could feel the aches and pains from being beaten. At least she didn’t need to go to the hospital. “I’m going to go get cleaned up.”

  “It’s okay, mom. I knew nothing was gonna hurt me. I knew Jakie would find me and I also know he was gonna help you too. I pressed the tiny button you told me to push if we needed help, right after the vision. I’m sorry it was too late because that stinky man hurt you. I’m sorry, mama.”

  He looked so upset at her being hurt and she wanted to take him in her arms and squeeze him tight, but she had truly taken a beating. She was sore everywhere.

  “Let’s get you all tucked in, big man.” She turned to Jake. “You comin’?”

  Jake followed down the hall as they disappeared into a bedroom on the left. Unconsciously, his nose was drawn to her room which must be at the end of the hall. He inhaled deeply. Oh God, he was hard again. He couldn’t control himself. He was only wearing a blanket so he bunched it up and followed them to what smelled like Trevor’s room.

  Shana pulled down the covers for Trevor and winced. Trevor hopped into bed and said goodnight to them both.

  Jake stepped up to the bed and took the sheets from Shana and covered Trevor. He tucked the blankets up to his neck and then around his body and said, “Snug as a bug in a rug.”

  Shana smiled as Jake bent down and placed a kiss to Trevor’s forehead, and began to cry when Trevor said, “Thank you for savin’ me and makin’ my mommy happy.”

  “I haven’t made your mommy happy. She gives me the scrunched up face, and she’s crying again.” Jake could smell her tears but tried to make light of the situation by mimicking her unhappy face to Trevor.

  “But you will make her happy and then we’ll all be happy. Night night Jakie, don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

  “If they do, hit ‘em with a shoe,” Shana said.

  “Until they turn all black and blue,” Jake said.

  Something was wrong. This hot sexy man was bonding with her child, and risking his life for him. Was he a pedophile? No, Trevor seems to feel comfortable around him when usually he was reserved, like her.

  Trevor had said that Jake would make them both happy. Had he had a vision? Too much to think about now. She walked from Trevor’s room to the kitchen. She needed a stiff drink with a side order of Motrin.

  Chapter 9

  “Would you like something to eat, Mr. Calhoun? Or maybe some coffee?” See, she could be nice and professional.

  “Please, call me Jake. Coffee sounds great. Thanks.”

  “I’m the one that should be thanking you. You brought back my son and I’m truly grateful. There are no words to express…” No, don’t cry.

  He could smell her tears being held back. “You’re welcome, Shana. Can I ask you som
ething? Why were you not upset when I changed into a wolf? Did you know of our existence?”

  “No, but I believe in a great many things. It would be hard not to with Trevor’s visions and all. My grandmother had them too.” The coffee was brewing and smelled divine. She felt somewhat uncomfortable, but they could share a coffee and then he could go.

  “Are you afraid of me? I would never hurt you.”

  “Ya know, you’re not the first to say that to me. So let me just say actions speak louder than words. So far you’ve been nothing but good to Trevor and me.” A sudden thought occurred to her. “It was you the other night. The wolf; you saved Trevor.”

  “Yes, Shana, you’re my mate. I’d do anything to keep you, and Trevor, from harm. I know this is sudden but you’re my perfect match; I would never force the bond on you, but I’d ask that you give me a chance.” He looked worried.

  “Jake, I’m flattered and I’ll admit that I’m attracted to you, but I don’t really know you. I don’t feel like starting something between us. My life is kind of out of control right now; it’s not safe to be with anyone. That would just anger him.” Shoot, she said too much.

  “Who would it anger? Are you married or in a relationship?”

  “No, never been married and I’ve only had one relationship. It ended badly.” She poured her coffee and added cream and sugar. “What would you like in your coffee?”

  “Black, please.” He got up and walked to her as she held out his coffee mug.

  She was suddenly hit with a fierce bit of lust. Why did this man, this animal, make her crazy hot? She could feel her juices spilling onto her panties just watching this man walk. Uh, oh, she was in trouble.

  “Jake, uh, you should probably go. Just take the coffee and have a nice night.”

  He put the mug down and sniffed. Shit. His eyes widened and he stepped closer. He sniffed and nuzzled her neck.

  She was amazed he had this effect on her when his body wasn’t even touching her. He licked her neck and she creamed again as her vaginal walls tightened involuntarily. Well, damn. She needed a vibrator. He had leaned down and placed his face right in front of her crotch, and took a big breath.

  When he looked at her, his yellow wolf eyes were piercing. “Can I?”

  She licked her lips. She had no idea what he was asking. Could he sniff, sure, why not? That’s perfectly normal and not erotic in the least. Right....

  “Um, can you what? Go, yes. Yes, you can go. Your friends are probably waiting for you. Uh, bye.”

  Why was he just staring at her crotch, sniffing. And why did it make her blood boil. This was by far the weirdest thing that had ever happened to her.

  “I know you’re hurt and I’ll be gentle.” He rose to his full height and kissed her smack on the lips.

  She didn’t have time to protest. As if she would have anyway. His lips were soft and inviting. She put her hands on his chest to steady herself and, oh boy, that was a firm chest; he moaned. She felt rock hard pecs under her sensitive fingertips.

  She needed him to leave because she was not going to let him touch her. Well, any more than he already was.

  His kisses were drugging. Before you know it he had picked her up, avoiding all of her injuries, and carried her to her room. Light as a feather, he placed her on her bed. She suddenly became nervous. It had been so long and she didn’t want to have a flashback, or panic attack, while sharing her bed with this hunk. Mate; she wondered if he was just trying to get into her pants.

  “I’m not going to have sex with you,” Shana said.

  Jake noticed a dimming of her arousal and fear now being her primary scent.

  “I don’t want to hurt or scare you, so just tell me if you don’t want my kisses and I’ll walk away. I would never want to harm you. You are my mate. I have a deep need to protect you and keep you safe with me. But if you’re not ready, I understand; I won’t push.” He made himself sound sincere when inside his hormones were raging. His beast wanted to claim his mate.

  “Kisses are fun. I’d like to kiss you, Jake.” She wanted more but she wasn’t ready. She leaned forward and took his lips. It was not a gentle kiss but a possessive kiss, from her. She guessed her claiming instincts were coming forward too. Yikes, he was so hot and she forgot he was only in a sheet-toga style. She ran her hands up his chest again and, this time, he growled.

  She pulled back, looking worried. “Um, is that supposed to turn me on? Because it did, and I’m a little freaked out.”

  He smiled. “Yes, you should like everything I do in bed Shana, whether I’m naked or...in a sheet.” He winked and she melted.

  They both reclined down on the bed and put their mouths together again. His tongue slid along her bottom lip asking for an invitation into her mouth. She opened and molded her body to his. She could feel his erection against her thigh. She wanted him so badly, but she would not allow herself to have him. They had only known each other a few days.

  He began to kiss down her throat and stopped several times to inhale deeply. He kept placing open mouthed kisses to her chest. As he was distracting her with the kisses, he was unbuttoning her pajama gown. Danger!

  He bared her breasts and moved back to look his fill. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. I want to lick you; may I?”

  She was shocked that he was saying these things to her. Even more than that, she longed for him to put his hot wet mouth on her.

  “Yes, Jake, please.”

  He kissed the bruises to her sides gently and then moved to hover over the soft brown of her nipples. They were puckered and waiting for him, inviting. He lowered his head and her breathing became labored.

  Her back came off the bed to deliver her nipple into his mouth. Her moan caused him to release some pre-come. He licked around her nipple, sliding his day worth of stubble over her sensitive skin, but hadn’t yet taken her into his mouth.

  “Please,” Shana moaned.

  He couldn’t stand the thought of his mate begging, so he took her nipple full in his mouth and sucked on the tender pebbled flesh. She cried out and he saw her squeeze her thighs together. He knew where she needed him. He pulled her nipple farther into his mouth one last time and bit gently, exacting a whimper from her. He then gave the same attention to her other nipple before sliding his hand down her belly.

  His hand went under her pajama gown and found her center, hot and wet. She stiffened so he pulled back from her nipple and said, “If you don’t like what I’m doing, you only need to tell me to stop and I’ll back off. I only want to bring you pleasure, Shana.”

  He went back to kissing her mouth and she relaxed a little. He had his left hand on her wetness and he used his right hand to tease her nipple. She relaxed and he smelled only their mixed arousal.

  Jake began to rub small circles on her clit and opened her up to place one of his fingers at her entrance. “Is this okay, Shana? Do you want me to stop?”

  She shook her head no, so he slowly slid one thick finger into her. She was so tight and sopping wet. Her juices had spilled down her thigh and his whole hand was wet and slick. She moaned when he hit her clit with his palm.

  “You like what I’m doing, Shana? I love how you respond to me. I want you to feel so much pleasure so tell me when you’re close.” He dipped his head to her nipple and sucked it into his mouth. He was rubbing his hardness up against her outer thigh and she could feel how big he was.

  “I, uh, I’m not sure you’ll fit, Jake.” She was getting nervous again.

  He could tell that she expected him to just shove himself in there with no regard to how tight she was.

  “No Shana, this is for you. I don’t expect anything in return. Just relax and let me show you how good we can be, like this.” He put another finger to her opening and she took it. His little mate would be able to take him, when the time was right. He’d have to prepare her. He could wait.

  “Oh God, Jake. I’m close. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Just relax and let m
e take you there.” He pumped his fingers into her hitting her clit with every stroke but she needed more. He put his other hand to join the first and applied constant pressure to her clit. He ran his teeth over her nipple, and she came so hard all the breath was drawn from her lungs.

  Jake was so satisfied. He had his mate in his arms and she was happy. He could feel the waves of contentment coming from her. He was happy to be surrounded by her scent. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. He heard the sounds of her even breathing moments later and knew she was asleep.

  Thank God he hadn’t been kicked out.

  Chapter 10

  Jake left his mate’s bed only for a moment to notify the pack he’d be staying the night inside the house, and they were to remain outside and continue patrolling.

  He went to the backyard and saw the wolves in a small group huddled on the porch, sharing the dog bed. He got his cellphone from the counter and snapped a quick picture to show Trevor that he had a good idea. He looked down and saw the dog food was gone too-ick.

  The wolf on patrol was Grant. He approached, sniffed and gave a big wolf smile. Jake had Shana’s scent all over him. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t last because they had not completed the bond.

  “Grant, I’ll be staying inside and if there is anything you need to communicate just howl. I expect we’ll be safe for tonight. We’ll have to find out what’s going on tomorrow.”

  As he turned to walk away, he thought better of it and said, “Thank you for your help keeping them safe.”

  Grant nodded his wolf head.

  He walked back into the house and checked all the windows and doors. He strode past Trevor’s room, made sure he was in bed and comfortable, before going back to his mate’s room. He took off his sheet and hopped into bed. Shana sighed and snuggled into him.

  This feels right.

  Shana woke early the next morning and saw Jake in her bed. He was warm as an oven and at some point they had kicked all of the covers off. He was spooned against her back with his arm hanging over her side.